Gwangyang City Listens to On-Site Voices at Business Association Meeting

Promotion of New Policies Including First Support for Small Business Card Fees

Explanation of Plan to Attract Warehouse-Style Large Retail Facility Costco

Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do held a meeting with business associations at the Jungmadong Community Center on the 7th to listen to the difficulties faced by self-employed individuals and small business owners, promote city support policies, and explain plans to attract large-scale distribution facilities.

At this meeting, 11 representatives from four local business associations, including the President of the Gwangyang Small Business Association and the President of the Economic Revitalization Movement Headquarters, attended.

Presided over by the Head of the Investment and Economy Division, the meeting promoted 13 small business support policy projects for 2023 and 7 new and priority projects. It also explained the plan to attract the warehouse-type large distribution facility Costco and gathered opinions from business associations.

Among the 2023 policies, the ‘Small Business Loan Interest Subsidy Project’ was expanded from 3% last year to 5%, supporting up to 3 million KRW per business at 423 locations. The ‘Small Business Facility Improvement Project’ is underway, providing up to 4 million KRW per business at a total of 136 locations to create a better business environment.

Additionally, discussions were held on various policies such as the early termination of sales due to budget exhaustion of the Gwangyang Love Gift Certificate, active use of the public delivery app Meokgaebi, the digital small business training project aiming to nurture 10,000 entrepreneurs, encouraging the use of Good Price Stores, and promoting enrollment in the Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid.

Regarding the plan to attract the warehouse-type large distribution facility Costco, it was emphasized that thorough analysis of direct and indirect damages to small business owners is necessary to prepare countermeasures, and that sufficient communication with local residents during the attraction process is essential.

It was also noted that attracting large distribution facilities does not only bring disadvantages to the local economy but also has many advantages. Therefore, it was urged to accurately understand the pros and cons of attracting Costco and to promote it sufficiently to citizens, including small business owners, while proceeding.

Lee Hwa-yeop, Head of the Investment and Economy Division, said, “Our city is devising various support measures so that small business owners can receive more benefits,” adding, “Since various public contest projects that can enhance the capabilities of small business owners require prior preparation to be selected, I hope the Small Business Association will take the lead in promoting and consulting on projects scheduled for next year.”

He continued, “Warehouse-type large distribution facilities are expected to have effects comparable to corporate attraction in terms of urban competitiveness and residential infrastructure,” and said, “We are actively engaging in the attraction battle, including operating a dedicated task force (T/F team), so we ask small business owners and citizens to join forces.”

Meanwhile, Gwangyang City is promoting projects such as ‘Discovering Candidate Sites for Alley-type Shopping Districts,’ ‘Analysis of Commercial Area Status and Basic Plans for Revitalization,’ and ‘Research Services for Designating Autonomous Commercial Districts’ to support the independence and business stability of small business owners.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.